Fill valve assembly



United States Patent 3,411,745 FILL VALVE ASSEMBLY Clarence G. Austin, Jr., and Howard R. Garrett, Woodstock, 111., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Haskon, Inc., Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 541,642 7 Claims. (Cl. 251-129) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fill valve assembly for use in the dispensing of fluids used for human consumption. The assembly includes .an electromagnetic actuator and dispensing valve which are physically separated and connected by an actuating stem with the actuator, dispensing valve and stem being readily removable for cleaning purposes.

This invention relates to a fill valve assembly and more particularly to an improved fill valve assembly for dispensing of fluids primarily used in human consumption. In particularly, the improved fill valve assembly is utilized in the milk industry where stringent sanitary codes and laws covering the sale of milk require equipment which must be readily and thoroughly cleaned to meet sanitation requirements. In addition, the improved fill valve assembly provides a simplified structure in which the actuator portion thereof is isolated from the valve body and actuator so as not to contaminate fluids valved by the fill valve assembly. Further, the actuator portion is adjustable within its housing to insure that proper valve operation may be obtained. The improved fill valve assembly is simplified in construction, low in cost and easy to maintain.

Therefore it is the principle object of this invention to provide an improved fill valve assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved fill valve assembly in which the actuator, the valve body and the valve stem may be readily removed from an associated container for cleaning and maintenance.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a simplified and improved fill valve assembly which includes at its spout portion a structure for preventing foaming of the fluid being valved with provisions for readily removing the anti-foaming structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved fill valve assembly which is simple in design, low in cost and easy to maintain.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached description together with the drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of the improved fill valve assembly,

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the actuator portion of the improved fill valve assembly,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of the valve portion of the improved fill valve assembly, and

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the clamp for the improved fill valve assembly.

My improved fill valve assembly is shown herein in connection with a tank adapted to contain a fluid from which the improved fill valve assembly is to control dispensing therefrom. Thus as will be seen in FIGURE 1, the tank,

indicated generally at 10, has a removable cover portion 12 adapted to fit over the sides of the tank and seal the same. The tank is particularly adapted to hold a fluid, such as milk or any other consumable type of fluid, the packaging of which is controlled by strict sanitary codes. Thus the apparatus involved in the handling of such fluids will be, regularly inspected and must be so constructed as 3,411,745 Patented Nov. 19, 1968 to be readily disassembled for cleaning. Further, the component parts of the same must be accessible from the standpoint of cleaning and maintenance to meet such codes. In the improved fill valve assembly, the dispensing valve mechanism, indicated generally at 15 is operated by an electromagnetic actuator indicated generally at The actuator is mounted on a tubular upstanding flange 22 positioned around an aperture 24 in the top or cover of the tank. The dispensing or fill valve structure is positioned on the bottom surface of the tank and connected to a downwardly projecting tubular portion at the base of the tank defining an aperture 32 therein which is aligned vertically with the aperture 24 in the cover or top of the tank and concentric therewith. The electromagnet structure 20 includes a housing or case 35 having a circular recessed flange 36 at the base thereof communicating with the centrally located recess 40 in the housing in which an electromagnet or solenoid 42 is positioned. The solenoid or electromagnet 42 has its frame mounted on a plate 44 which plate is connected to a slidably mounted plate 45 on the outside of the casing through suitable screw means 46 positioned in apertures 47 in the casing. This arrangement permits the plate 44 and connecting plate 45 outside of the housing to be adjustably positioned along the wall of the housing to vary the elevation of the electromagnet in the housing.

Associated with the coil assembly is a movable armature 50 which moves or is attracted with energization of the coil of the solenoid to an upward position being limited by flange parts 52 on the armature to define a stop position. The bottom of the armature includes a yoke portion 55 having an aperture (not shown) therein through which a connecting pin 57 is positioned, the pin being adapted to connect a valve stem 60 of the dispensing valve 15 to the electromagnet for operation of the same. A reduced portion 62 at the end of the valve stem with a suitable aperture therein (not shown) permits location of the pins 57 through the flange portion 55 to connect the valve stem to the movable armature 50 of the actuator or solenoid. Housing 35 has a cover part 65 on the front of the same which is readily removable for access to the interior recess 40 in the housing such that the pin 57 may be readily removed to release the valve stem 60 from the armature 50 of the electromagnet.

Suitable electrical wiring connected to the back of the housing permits the introduction of electrical current to the coil of the electromagnet in a conventional manner. The housing at the flange portion 36 includes a connecting screw 74 which threads into a tapped aperture 75 therein to bear against the upstanding flange 22' on the cover of the tank to releasably secure the housing thereon. The flange portion also includes an annular sealing Washer having an upwardly directed lip bearing against the surface of the valve stem 60 to provide a seal at this point. The valve stem 60 is an elongated member having a conically shaped tip defining the valve closure member for the dispensing valve. The elongated portion of the dispensing valve stem extends through the aperture 24 in the cover, the tank 10 and through the aperture 32 in the base of the tank and the tubular portion 30 to a tubular member defining the valve body of the dispensing valve. This tubular member has a conically shaped valve seat 96 therein having a fixed opening portion 97 therein of a slightly smaller dimension than the conically shaped surface 96 at the end of the valve stem which cooperates therewith to define the valve closure member or seating part to close the dispensing valve. The tubular member 95 of the valve body has a lip portion 99 with a grooved recess 100 therein. The exposed surface of the flange is bevelled as at 102 for purposes to be later noted. The flange 99 is symmetrical with a similar flange 105 on the downwardly extending tubular flange on the base of the tank which also has a recess 106 therein and a bevelled surface 107 on the outer edge thereof. Suitable seal member 110 is adapted to be positioned in the grooves 106 and to provide a seal between the flanges 99 and and a suitable clamp member 112 as shown in FIGURE 4, fits around the flanges with the edges thereof engaging the bevelled surfaces to clamp the flange parts together and securely hold the tubular member 95 to the tubular portion 30.

As will be seen in FIGURE 4, this clamp includes a pair of members 114, 115 of identical form connected together at one extremity through a pivoting link 117 and having a spring 118 associated therewith. The opposite extremities of the connecting members 114, 115 include an overcenter toggle arrangement 120 which is adapted to clamp the parts 114, 115 together and cooperate with the action of the spring 118 to bear on the bevelled surfaces 102 and 107 of the flanges 99 and 105 to clamp the flanges together insuring the seal through the angular sealing member 110. The members 114, 115 are substantially semi-circular in cross-section to bear against the bevel surfaces in a clamping type action. This arrangement will provide a readily removable clamp 112 which will permit disassembly of the tubular member 30 from the downwardly projecting tubular flange 30 and the tank for cleaning purposes. The lower extremity of the valve body or tubular member 95 includes a spout portion on which is positioned a tubular sleeve 126 having slots therein (not shown) and a discharge aperture 128 at the extremity of the same. The tubular sleeve is adapted to position a screen 130 and suitable sealing rings 132 therein across the ends of the aperture 128 and the discharge of the valve for the purpose of breaking up the fluid stream to prevent foaming of the fluid being dispensed. The slots in the tubular member 126 are adapted to align with slots or grooves in the spout portion 125 and a suitable clip member is slidably mounted therein so that the cylindrical flange 126 may be connected to the spout portion 125. The clip 145 may be readily slipped out of the grooves to release the flange 126 from the spout for cleaning purposes. A shoulder in the area of the valve seat and above the spout portion 125 provides a protective cover to prevent any foreign material present on the outside of the tubular valve body from entering the area of the discharge of the fill valve assembly. In the improved fill valve assembly, this simplified valve actuator is mounted in a housing and adjustably positioned therein so that the valve stem may be positioned relative to the valve seat in the valve body 95 to positively seal the fill valve or dispensing valve portion of the same. This is made adjustable by positioning the fixed part of the electromagnet above the tank. In addition, the electromagnet movable part or armature 50 has connected thereto the valve stem 60 through a pin 57 which connects a reduced part 62 on the valve stem to a bifurcated flange portion 55 on the armature making the valve stem readily removable from the electromagnet for cleaning purposes. In addition the housing includes a seal washer which rides against the valve stem to insure that no contaminates from the electromagnet housing will enter the fill valve tank 10. The valve stem extends through the tank and provides a uniform surface with a conically shaped valve closure portion 90 at the extremity of the same which cooperates with the valve seat 96 in the valve body. The valve body part is readily removable from the downwardly extending flange portion 30 on the brace of the tank to permit removal of the valve stem from the valve seat and the screen on the spout for cleaning purposes. This simplified assembly is readily removable and connectable, will meet sanitary codes governing the handling of fluids such as milk and is easy to maintain.

Therefore in considering this invention it should be remembered that the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative only and the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A fill valve assembly comprising, a tank, an upwardly extending tubular flange in the top of the tank defining an aperture therein, a downwardly extending tubular flange located in the bottom of the tank and defining an aperture therein in vertical alignment with the top aperture and concentric therewith, a housing having an aperture therein mounted on the upwardly extending tubular flange and removably connected thereto, an electromagnetic actuator including a fixed part and a movable part mounted within the housing, an elongated valve stem connected to the movable part of the electromagnetic actuator and extending through the apertures in the top and bottom of the tank, means in said housing for guiding the valve stem in its movement through said apertures in said tank which seals the housing from the tank, an elongated tubular member including a valve seat and a spout portion beyond the valve seat, releasable connection means adapted to connect and seal the elongated tubular member to the downwardly extending tubular flange on the bottom of the tank, said valve stem having a valve closure member at the extremity thereof remote from the movable part of the electromagnetic actuator adapted to cooperate with the valve seat in the elongated tubular member when the solenoid is deenergized to close a passage therethrough from the tank and to move up and away from the valve seat when the electromagnetic actuator is energized, a removable cover means on one side of said housing, and a releasable pin connection between the movable part of the electromagnetic actuator and the valve stem within the housing to selectively release the valve stem from the actuator.

2. The fill valve assembly of claim 1 in which the fixed part of the electromagnetic actuator is adjustably mounted within the housing so as to position the valve stem and hence the valve closure member relative to the valve seat for both the energized and de-energized position of the actuator and hence the open and closed position of the fill valve assembly.

3. The fill valve assembly of claim 2 in which the elongated tubular member and the downwardly extending tubular flange each have a transversely extending flanged extremity thereon with sloped sides which fit together in abutting relation as lipped surfaces having tapered sides and in which the releasable connection means connecting the tubular member to the downwardly extending tubular flange includes a releasable coupling pivotally connected at one point with an internal U-shaped cross-sectional surface and an overcenter snap action clamp at another point opposite the pivotal connection such that the internal U-shaped surfaces fit over the tapered sides of the flanges to clamp the parts in assembled relation and including a seal member positioned between the flanges.

4. The fill valve assembly of claim 3 and including a removably connected screen covering positioned over the spout portion of the elongated tubular member.

5. A fill valve assembly comprising, a tank adapted to hold a fluid to be dispensed by the fill valve assembly and including a removable cover having an aperture therein with an upwardly extending tubular flange surrounding the same, an aperture in the bottom of the container having a downwardly extendin tubular flange surrounding the same and being disposed in axial alignment with the aperture in the cover when the cover is positioned on the tank, an electromagnetic actuator removably positioned on the upwardly extending flange, a dispensing valve body having a tubular portion with the same dimension as the downwardly extending flange and adapted to be connected thereto, said dispensing valve body having a valve seat at the lower extremity of the same and a discharge opening beneath the valve seat, a valve stem extending through the tank and the apertures in the cover and the bottom being adapted to cooperate with the valve seat, said valve stem having a valve closure member with a conically shaped tip adapted to cooperate with conically shaped sides in the valve seat, a releasable pin coupling connecting the valve stem with the electromagnetic actuator mounted on the cover, and a snap coupling releasably connecting the valve body with the downwardly extending flange on the tank to facilitate removal of the valve body and the valve stem for cleaning of the tank and the dispensing valve.

6. The fill valve assembly of claim 5 in vwhich the electromagnetic actuator includes means journaling and sealing the valve stem for movement through the tank in the operation of the valve and to isolate the electromagnetic actuator from the tank.

7. The fill valve assembly of claim 6 and including means for adjustably positioning the electromagnetic actuator on the cover of the tank to adjust the position of the valve stem relative to the valve body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Hudson 251-152 X Walker et a1 251-129 X Keene 251-129 X Richard 251-129 X McCleskey 251-129 X Szechtman 251-129 X Ramsay 137-392 X Great Britain.

15 M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner.

R. C. MILLER, Assistant Examiner. 

